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EnRoute - April 16, 2014

Top Stories

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators have agreed on the policy principles of the bill to reauthorize the federal highway program. However, it does not address the key question of how to pay for the program. FULL STORY

The Ontario, Canada government has issued new regulations imposing a provincial biodiesel mandate that came into force April 1. FULL STORY

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is recommending to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that regulations be put into place to require new trucks to be equipped with systems to boost blind spot awareness and side and rear underride guards. FULL STORY

Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI), a veteran transportation legislator, has announced that he will not seek re-election in the fall. FULL STORY

Technology Trends

Many businesses, including trucking companies, run “legacy” IT systems which are workhorses, however with technology rapidly changing, companies need to review their systems.FULL STORY

Peterbilt has introduced an all-new Model 220 to its medium-duty lineup that features numerous interior and exterior enhancements designed to increase driver productivity, safety and durability. FULL STORY

GE Capital Fleet Services has launched a new online fleet management platform, MyFleetOffice 2, which provides fleets with increased flexibility and functionality. FULL STORY

Briefly

Ryder System, Inc. has formed a partnership with Decisiv to create an enhanced maintenance offering for large and for-hire truck fleets that own their vehicles and manage multiple maintenance providers. . .SmartTruck has announced its UT6Plus trailer undertray device is the only standalone product to meet SmartWay's new Elite-level standard, providing a 9% fuel savings. . . The United Way of Berks County, Pa., recently presented Penske Truck Leasing with an Eagle Award for the company's support of the organization's annual fundraising campaign. During the 2013 United Way fundraising campaign, the company raised more than $500,000 and increased contributors by 41 percent through an incentive program. . .PacLease Edmonton Kenworth and Rush Truck Leasing – Houston received PacLease's Franchise of the Year award for their success in sales and employee dedication. . .Enterprise Holdings' careers and recruitment website has been updated to include information about the company's military heritage and ongoing military support. The website includes employment opportunities for transitioning military personnel, veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserve and military families.

People

Mack Trucks has named Brian Layman its new vice-president of business development. . .Joe Puff has been hired as vice-president of truck technology and maintenance for NationaLease. . .Bridgestone Commercial Solutions has announced that John Boynton has been promoted to the position of president. . .Kelly Ritter has joined J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. Midwest sales team.

Money Matters

Comdata Inc. has filed for initial public stock offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission. FULL STORY

News From TRALA

Dan Murphy of Idealease, Inc. was Unanimously Elected as TRALA's 2014-2015 Chairman

The Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA) Board of Directors unanimously elected Dan Murphy, President and CEO of Idealease, Inc. of North Barrington, Illinois, as the Association's 2014-2015 Chairman. Murphy addressed the membership for the first time at TRALA's 2014 Annual Meeting held March 10-14 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Murphy's speech focused on TRALA's core mission of advocacy. Under his Chairmanship, Murphy intends to use his role to nurture and support TRALA's efforts in this area. “Never before has our industry faced challenges as numerous and serious as the ones posed by the federal government and state and local governments. We are all fortunate to have such an effective and results-oriented team in Washington, DC and the fifty state capitals working on our industry's behalf. It will be up to all of us as TRALA members to be sure that our team has the resources they need to get the job done and done right. Raising money for TRALA's 2014 Legal Action Fund and Political Action Committee, TRALAPAC, will be critical this year.”